Something of a soulless spot

This review was published in April 2002

Things didn't bode well: at 9.30pm on a Monday night, the bar was deserted. Then there were the large, overbright murals - for some reason giant orange carrots took pride of place on the wall - downright scary in the fierce lighting.

La Perla is part of the same company as the popular Cafe Pacifico , so it was disappointing to find its progeny so entirely lacking in atmosphere.

Determined to be game, we plunged straight in to a half-pitcher of frozen Margarita (£16.50), which proved serviceable if a touch too lemony, before taking the opportunity to quiz the very helpful waitress on the extensive list of tequilas available as shots.

We decided to compare the two ends of the price list, beginning with a couple of flavoured tequilas at £3.25 a hit. Chilli tequila had a slightly itchy kick on the back of the throat and tasted of little else bar black pepper, while vanilla was agreeably smooth but, again, completely masked the natural taste of the spirit. The top end was worth every penny: the Porfidio anejos (£7.50) was as rich, velvety and downright delicious as the best malt whisky.

We could have happily blown the budget on a few more of the same but for the soulless surroundings, which drove us back on to the street in search of a better time elsewhere.